Micro- and mesoplastics release from the Indonesian municipal solid waste landfill leachate to the aquatic environment: Case study in Galuga Landfill Area, Indonesia

Small-sized plastic debris (micro- and mesoplastics) are emerging pollutants and widely detected in aquatic environments. However, micro- and mesoplastics pollution research with regard to landfills is limited. In this study, the occurrence, characteristics, and possible release of micro- and mesoplastic waste from the Galuga landfill leachate to the aquatic environment were studied. Micro- and mesoplastics were identified in all surface water samples from leachate influent and effluent of Galuga landfills. The average daily release to the aquatic environment was estimated at 80,640 ± 604.80 microplastic and 618,240 ± 1905.45 mesoplastic particles, respectively. The amount of microplastic increased three-fold and nine-fold for mesoplastics after input from the leachate drain. Micro- and mesoplastic main chemical compositions were polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, and cellophane. This study implied that the leachate may cause micro and mesoplastic contamination to the aquatic environment. The results raised the knowledge of small-sized plastic debris in aquatic environments. •Micro- and mesoplastics were identified in all water samples.•An estimated average daily release of microplastic from leachate drain at 80640 ± 604.80 particles•Daily mesoplastic release from leachate drain to the aquatic environment was estimated 618240 ± 1905.45 particles•After input from the leachate drain, the microplastic number increased threefold and nine times higher for mesoplastics•Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene was the most abundant microplastics found